Migraines - treatment that works!!
I have had migraines around once a month since I was 10 (I am 32) and have tried a few preventatives such as beta-blockers but without much success plus the migraines have not been that bad for the last few years - if I take my Zomig with 10 minutes of the start of a migraine (i.e. the zig-zag lines in my vision) it doesn't develop into a headache once the vision disturbance disappears.
I had a first full tonic-clonic seizure in my sleep in Nov 2009 and as it was a first nothing was prescribed. I had another in March 2011 followed by a few "absence" type seizures after (2 a day) and was put on Lamotrigine.
I have not had a migraine since and have learned that it is a last line of defence for migraine when nothing else works.
I love it!!
I had a first full tonic-clonic seizure in my sleep in Nov 2009 and as it was a first nothing was prescribed. I had another in March 2011 followed by a few "absence" type seizures after (2 a day) and was put on Lamotrigine.
I have not had a migraine since and have learned that it is a last line of defence for migraine when nothing else works.
I love it!!
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It's quite interesting what you say about Lamotrigine and headaches, as in the 5 years I have known my husband he has never had a headache apart from post-seizure when he gets the mother of all headaches! He is on Lamotrigine to control his epilepsy. It never occurred to me that it was also perhaps stopping any headaches/migraines but it makes sense that it might do so. Medication commonly associated with epilepsy is also used as a control for people who are bi-polar. Irrelevant but interesting!
Zomig works a treat for me but the Lamotrigine has meant no migraines therefore no need to take the zomig
I did try a different anti-convulsent drug (cannot remember the name right now) which had horrendous side effects for me (constant electric tingling in my fingers, weight loss, exhaustion, anxiety, depression) so I had to stop taking that one. I've looked up lamotrigine and it seems there are lots of possible side effects, some of which can be fatal :eek: also says that side effects are worse in women, so I'd be a bit worried about trying this one, although I might speak to my specialist about it.
It is one of the better tolerated anti-convulsants. It is also used as a mood stabiliser for bi-polar disorder but I have not noticed this effect myself (not being bi-polar).
Beta-blockers used to give me tingly fingers and weight gain when I was on them years ago for migraine
Stress (more specifically the release of stress) was/is a trigger but I have just gone through an incredibly stressful period at work (reorganization, redundancies etc) and still no migraines!
Funny how different drugs work so differently for individuals. Never had any side effects on beta blockers when I tried them, but they didn't impact on my migraines either.
I don't usually pay much attention to the listed side effects, but after having such a horrible time on the previous drugs, and then reading the leaflet that came with them afterwards where it said that if you feel suicidal while taking them, you must go straight to hospital, well I definitely read up about them now!
Will definitely ask the doctor about your drugs when I next go to the clinic.
Yeah, stress and anxiety are a big trigger for me too
It has been a nightmare, I have seen so many different doctors, currently on beta blockers and low salt/no caffeine diet. I would try anything, back at the hospital in December so I will ask if this treatment might help me.
Coffee was another trigger for me but I am now drinking it like it is going out of fashion. I was always wary before but I would occasionaly risk it (I really love coffee!!) but my doctor explained that it could be there is a threshold, like a line on a graph, that when you cross it it triggers a migraine. Everyone has different thresholds and where one or two of your triggers might not cross the line, a combination may do. Perhaps the Lamotrogine has raised my threshold much higher?
I had no warning of the seizures - both the full tonic-clonic but I have only had two of these in my life - once in my sleep and once at my desk at work (always fun peeing your pants at work - we laugh about it now) 18 months apart then a few absence types (which actually feel quite pleasant!!)
The epilepsy drug is interesting as I have always felt the two conditions are related, even though my GP and I think every other medic says no.
G.p has only ever given me beta-blockers,they were shite,migraleave(cant spell it)sometimes works but not always,i cant afford botox and all this other stuff,so I will just have to put up with it.
This, dear OP, is one of the dangers of posting on a site like this, there will always be a drama queen foretelling death and destruction, guaranteed to cause alarm.
It can cause a rash if you increase up to your full dose too quickly but only 1 in 1000 will get it serously and even then you can reduce the dose back down again to stop it.
I remember the doctor describing these side effects - Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis - and the odds are something like 1 in 1000 will get a serious rash and 1 in 50,000 will die.
Totally worth it!
I think it is dose dependent too - I am only on 200mg a day -some people are on 1000mg!!
From their site:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Lamotrigine:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); absent menstrual period or other menstrual changes; calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; dark urine; difficult or painful urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, restlessness, irritability, panic attacks, behavior changes); new or worsening seizures; pale stools; reddened, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; severe muscle pain or tenderness; severe or persistent dizziness or stomach pain; shortness of breath; sores in the mouth or around the eyes; suicidal thoughts or attempts; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; swollen lymph glands; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual weakness or tiredness; vaginal itching or discharge; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Really - my neurologist was pretty quick to point out the link when I had my first seizure.
I tried Imigran when it first came out but it always left me feeling really woozy compared to the Zomig